Famous Aussie implicated in IPL match-fixing in SA

Leading Indian cricketers and a "famous" Australian were allegedly involved in IPL match-fixing when the tournament was staged in South Africa last year.

The allegation is contained in a report by India's income-tax department to the country's finance ministry.

The claims are devastating for India and the world game, which was this week hoping to focus on the World T20. It is cricket's most serious crisis since the match-fixing of 2000.

The report said 27 players and one official were involved in match-fixing in last year's Indian Premier League. It said match-fixing and betting had "scaled new heights".

A source close to the players, who was in South Africa, confirmed there was talk about approaches from illegal bookmakers and said there had been "too much smoke" for there not to be some fire.

"There were a lot of rumours, particularly in and around the opening matches in Cape Town," he said.

Paul Collingwood, who played for Delhi in last year's tournament, said: "I've never been offered anything. I would hate to think I've been involved with a team that's ever been involved with that, and actually gone for it.

"I guess where there's money, there's problems. We want to keep the game as clean as possible and will do everything to make sure that happens. You have to keep your eyes open as players."

Investigators have been looking at the IPL for months, but until now, lacked the authority to take action. They said that they have phone-taps of a Delhi associate of IPL boss Lalit Modi's, which reveal contact with illegal bookmakers dating back to last year's IPL.

The investigators also said Modi's family and associates have, since the start, owned 40% stakes in three IPL teams - Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab.

There is also a claim that Modi may have benefited from a "facilitation fee" paid by Multi Screen Media, a subsidiary of Sony World, to World Sports Group when it secured the broadcasting rights to the IPL for $1.6-billion. MSM and WSG insist it was above board.